Nobody expects to stare death in the face onlyto find out your entire life is a lie. Rescued by Salco, marketing executiveBecky finds herself in an unknown magical world filed with happy people thattry to forget their land is on the brink of destruction.

Becky will soon learn that her arrival is noaccident. If learning that she is Thya, the heir of the enchanting land isnâtenough, sheâs then told that an Oracle prophesied that she will save the gentleTsinians from slavery and domination by Darthorn, the Warlord of Senx.

It is at a festival where she is introduced tothe Tsinian council and her kinsmen, that she learns the whole truth. Thecouncil are so certain that a union between Darthornâs son, Kovon and Thya willcreate peace between the two lands. However, Darthorn has plans for Tsinia asdoes Kovon for Thya and neither are good.

Although her future has been planned and if sheis to save Tsinia she must marry Kovon, Thya gives her heart to another. A lovethat is forbidden and dangerous.

Illusional Reality is a story about hope,courage, love and sacrifice.

âThis story is unique. No typical fantasystereotyping.â

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Preparations were under way for Thya'sarrival. They had been expecting her since the writing of the first Oracle longago. Omad, the head of the council, made sure everyone knew of her coming, forit was his task to prepare his people for the arrival of their princess. He'dleft strict instructions that no one witness the arrival, or approach until hehad conversed with her himself. It was his duty to inform Thya who she was, andof her destiny.

He felt anxious and nervous, yet not forhimself. Tsinia was his home; but to an outsider, a human, it might seem like amystical, dreamlike place. How was he to make her understand? Would she listen,and most importantly would she believe him? Too much was at stake. He could notfail. The fate of Tsinia lay in his hands.

Omad stretched and rubbed the back ofhis neck as he pondered over his revised speech. Would it be too much for herto take in? He nodded his head, feeling happy with his decision to inform herof her true identity. Telling her about the prophecy could wait. He didn'trelish that task.

Omad looked around the gold leafcovered throne room. Soon she would take her rightful place among her peopleand they would once again have a ruler, removing the burden from the Tsiniancouncil. He clenched his trembling, clammy hands. He had been preparing forthis moment since being appointed head, long ago.

***

His election had been a cause forcelebration, the start of planned preparations to bring their queen home.

The council comprised of twelve electedTsinians, those held in the highest regard. The head of the council was seatedcentrally in a semicircle of chairs, his seat raised so there could be no doubtof who was in charge. Council business was held in the Escos on the border oftheir land. Meetings were not open, and only by appointment could citizensaddress the council.

Omad sighed, remembering the feast heldin his honour, the one time he had felt truly scared. The nomination was inrecognition, yet to be chosen for a task with repercussions that could destroyTsinia's peaceful existence was something he wished hadn't been entrusted tohim.

There was much excitement and discussionabout how Thya would become the saviour of them all, how her return would causethe warlord's demise.

The Tsinians lived by the words of theOracle, and although there was no indication of how Thya would save Tsinia fromDarthorn's domination, the people felt as though their troubles were over. Theywere so confident that for the first time in the history of their great land anOracle was ignored.

Omad shivered as he recalled Athronconfronting the council with the latest reading. Were they wrong to ignore thewarning?

The Oracles were written upon ancientscrolls. It was a riddle that only a Zenith could read, for it was they whowrote them. The generations of Zeniths were male; born with the gift of Sight.

Omad remembered being awoken from hissleep by a very anxious Athron. He demanded the council assemble at once, andas a valued Tsinian, Omad took the urgency seriously.

âI would not have removed you from yourslumber if I did not consider this to be of consequence,â Athron announced whenthe council had convened.

âContinue,â Omad said.

âThe Oracle proclaims a warning.â

Omad, suddenly wide-awake, frowned.âGood Athron, decipher.â

Athron nodded and unrolled the scroll.âNot all will come to pass and though the saviour will return, she will not bedelivered.â

The council whispered among themselves.

âRephrase,â Omad said.

âOur lady will return. Regardless, shewill not be whom you expect. The matrimony will not be entered upon. There isno alliance. For tis written so it will be.â

âNonsense,â Tasarc retorted. âTisludicrous. The alliance is not established. All that is required is our lady'ssign.â

âAnd what if she does not sign?â Athronsaid.

Omad rose from his seat. There wassilence. âI sympathise with your anxiety, Athron. We all are concerned with ourfuture. However, as our good friend Tasarc remarked, the alliance will precede.As for our lady not receiving us, tis her duty as princess of Tsinia to aid herkinsmen. I am confident that once she returns, all will be well. Do notdistress.â Omad then reseated.

Athron continued, âI pray you areaccurate. The fact is the Oracles have never been unjust. Do not shut your eyesto the truth.â

Athron had spoken out of turn and Omadhad to show strength in front of his peers. He stood abruptly from his seat.âTis proper you have brought this to our attention. You will retire,â he ordered.

Only Athron did not turn to leave. âYousight only what you want. Free your eyes!â

âSilence,â Omad growled.

The council gasped with dismay, for theyhad never before heard Omad raise his voice.

âDare you judge me? I will not justifymyself to you.â He then lowered his voice. âAthron, I hold you in the highestesteem. Be assured we will review the Oracle and rule on the correct outcome.Departânow.â

Athron left, yet he was not satisfied.He spoke his thoughts aloud, âBy the name of Zenith, I am compelled for them tolisten. It will be taken earnestly.â

Deciding on his next action, he calledupon Nimas, the wise one. If anyone had a hold over the council, it was Nimas.

Nimas listened intently as Athron readhim the Oracle.

âAnd Omad expressed?â Nimas quizzed.

âOmad declared the council would reviewthe issue, only I judge they do not take the Oracle earnestly.â

âAre you confident of this, Athron?â

âI am, Nimas. I am hoping you couldconverse with Omad, press him on the urgency. It will be a grave error if theOracle is ignored.â

âAthron, I have taken heed. Nonetheless,I concur with Omad. The contract between our two nations is almost complete. Iam certain you misread the interpretation.â

âWill not one heed me?â Athron shoutedin dismay. âThere will not be an alliance. Tis not the means. Since when has anOracle been false?â

Nimas sighed. âOmad is theappointed one. He alone has planned for adjustments. If, as you state, it doesnot come to pass, I am certain Omad can resolve the issue. Athron, I am weary.I will rest, go you to the door.â

Nimas left the agitated Athron alone.

It was the first time the Oracles hadbeen ignored and Athron felt as though he had shamed the name of Zenith.Perhaps he had not explained the meaning correctly.

Athron tried to reason with Omadrepeatedly, only to no avail. The council had made up their mind to disregardthe Oracle. They concurred that Athron, for the first time, had made an errorin his interpretation.

***

Now, as Omad waited for his princess' arrival, he regretted treatingAthron disrespectfully. Should he have taken heed? Only it did not make sense.If the Tsinians' alliance with the Senxs did not result in peace, what wasThya's calling?

Karina Kantas originates from the UK, but haslived in Greece most of her life.

Karina is a prolific author and publishes in the fiction genres of MCthrillers, fantasy, horror, comedy, romance and thrillers

When her imagination is working over time, she writes thought provoking/darkflash fiction.